Congressman, Rep. Steve Scalise, who is the GOP Whip, was shot during an early morning practice in preparation for a Republican charity baseball game. The incident took place in the early hours of Wednesday in Alexandria, Virginia, as reported by CNN.

Federal security officials identified the assailant as James Hodgkinson, 66, from Belleville, Illinois. He died after police officers guarding the lawmaker opened fire on him.

Many were fatally injured

Scalise and five other people were fatally injured. He is the third most senior member of House Republican leader.

Rep. Scalise is the majority whip of the House, he was immediately hospitalized.

The congressman was in Critical Condition after the gunshots by the gunman which damaged his internal organs. The injuries he sustained will need additional operations, a spokesperson for MedStar Washington Hospital Center said Wednesday.

Steve Scalise sustained severe rifle shot to the left hip of his body. The bullet penetrated his pelvis and injured his internal organs, fractured his bones which resulted in severe bleeding, his office said quoting a report from MedStar Hospital. He has undergone surgery and an additional process to stop all forms of bleeding. He has also received many units of blood transfusion.

He is in a critical condition, and need more operations, His office said.

The attack on congressmen

Zach Barth, another congressional staffer who was shot in the leg by the assailant has since been discharged from the hospital. Former Congressman, Matt Mika, a lobbyist for Tyson Foods who was also shot was also in critical condition after coming out of surgery as of Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement from his family.

According to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, two Capitol Police members – David Bailey and Crystal Griner sustained injuries Wednesday.

Policemen also shot

In a statement, Capitol Police admitted two of its men were shot in the ankle but were in good condition in the hospital. The statement said Bailey was treated and discharged since he sustained a minor injury during the shootout.

President Donald Trump made an unannounced visit to the MedStar Washington Hospital Centre during the evening hours of Wednesday.

He addressed Scalise’s family and sat next to the congressman’s bed, a statement Sean Spicer White House press secretary said. The President had a brief conversation with the hospital doctors and Griner and his wife, the White House said.